• The Vulcan 1500 motorcycle has disc brakes.disc brakes image by KtD from Fotolia.com
  
  The Kawasaki Vulcan 1500 Classic, which debuted in 2008, is a production motorcycle with many features. It has a classic "throwback" styling, with dual side exhausts and a low rider stance. Even though the styling is throwback, the engineering of the motorcycle is modern.
  
  

Drivetrain

• The engine is a 1,470cc liquid-cooled four-stroke power-plant. It is a V-twin design, with four valves per cylinder. The "V" separation is 50 degrees. The power output is 84.6 ft.-lbs. at 2,800 rpm. The engine's compression ratio is 9.0:1. The engine is mated closely to the transmission. The transmission has five speeds, and power is transferred to the rear wheel by a shaft instead of by a chain and sprocket.
  
  

Dimensions

• The wheelbase is 65.6 inches. The length of the motorcycle is 98.6 inches and the width is 39.2 inches. The height of the Kawasaki Vulcan 1500 is 44.9 inches, with a seat height of 27.6 inches. The bike's dry weight is 659 pounds. It can carry 5 gallons of fuel.
  
  

Brakes

• The brakes are dual disc -- both the front and the rear wheel has a disc brake system, each with a single disc. The front wheel has a 11.81-inch-diameter disc, and the rear wheel has a 10.63-inch disc.
  
  

Suspension

• The front suspension is a telescope design, with the tines of the fork having two elements, one sliding inside the other. Inside the tine is a hydraulic shock absorber that controls the bounce. The rear suspension is a twin-coil-over-shock design, with the springs encasing the shock absorber. The front suspension travel is 5.9 inches, and the rear travel is 3.4 inches.